Phonograph.



C. B. REPP. PHONOGRAPH- APPLICATION HLiU OCT 29 \912.

. Patented Fe b. 13, 1917.

2 sun] i'-SNEST 1:

7;, Bi REPP. PHONDGRAPH. APPLICATION HLED OCT-19. HHZ'.

1,21 5,41 0. Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

2 5H: ETS-SHEET 2.

CLINTON B. IREPP, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

PHONDGIRAPH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Application flled October 29, 1912. Serial No. 7 28,435.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known. that I, CLINTON 13. Roman citizen of the United States, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful IIHIHUYCIHLJltS in Phonograpbs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to phonographs, and more particularly to a type of phonograph wherein sound vil'irations pass to the dia' phragm through a. transmitter or vibrator arm, and \vl'icrein the diaphragm is subjected to tensioning stresses.

The main object of the invention is to provide a phonograpl'i of this character wherein the'd-iaphragm will be subjected to aconstant, uniform and definitely determinable stress which will not vary with the continued ope ation of the machine, or be affected by the vibrations'or rapid fiexures of the diaphragn'i. A further object is to provide a phonograph of this type wherein the constant stress exerted upon the diaphragm will offer no impediments to the liexure 'of the diaphragm, and more particularly to that flexure of the diaphragm resulting from the transmission of high frequency, short length vibrations or impulses. A still further object is to provide a phonograph in which the direction of the applica-- tion .of the stress to the. diaphragm may be varied to adaptthe machine. for use with either vertical cut or graphophone or lateral cut or gramophonc records, wherein the adjustment, of the tensioning means may be quickly accomplished without varying the stress on the diaphragm in a substantial degree. A still" further object is to provide a phonograph in which the transmitter or vibrator arm has at one end thereof a mount for the reproducing stylus or point, and at the other end thereof a connection with the diaphragm; and-is supported adjacent to said mount by a. rigid pivotal arm, wherein said transmitter or vibrator arm is con nected to said rigid or supporting arm by means which will insulate said transmitter or vibrator arm from said supporting arm to prevent the development of vibrations in said supporting-arm and the parts appurtenant thereto. A still further object is to provide a phonograph such as is immeditely above referred to, wherein the connect ing means between the transmitter or vibrator arm ant. the rigid supporting arm will be so constructed and arranged'as to permit a. univeisal movement of the transmitter or vibral or arm to facilitate the ad justmcnt of th: instrument for use with either grapl'iopli one or gramophone records. A still further (bject is to provide a phonegraph of this ch iractcr with a mount for the reproducing stylus or point, which will securely hold the reproducing stylus or point whether the ma :hine be used in connection with a, gramopl one or a graphophone record, without likelihood of a loosening'of the retaining 1m ans with a resultant loosening of the reprc ducing stylus or, point, and likelihood of blzstsor loss in volume in the sound reproduction. A still further object is toprovide a. machine of this character in which the suppc rting arm is acted upon by a. spring in a nanner to force said arm downwardly ant. with it the transmitter or vibrator arm in a-manner to cause the requisite pressure of the reproducer stylus or point upon the ricord, wherein convenientlya'ccessible means are provided for regulating the tension )f. this spring ina manner to avoid any possibility of an accidental variance in the tansion of this spring. And a still further obiect is to provide a machine of this character which may be conveniently assembled, and which when once assembled cannot be readily disarranged or put out of order by the uns tilled user.

The invention consists primarily in we phonograph emb idying therein a sound box, a diaphragm mtnnted therein, o transmitter or vibrator aim, a supporting arm there: for, means connecting said transmitter or vibrator arm and said supporting arm, means whereby a reproducing stylus or point may be supported at one end of said transmitter or vibrator arm, a. connection between the other end of said. arm and said diaphragm, a ten nonmg member and a flexible, non-resonant strand connecting said tonsioning member and said transmitter or vibrator arm ad acent to said diaphragm,

whereby said diaphragm is subjected to a.

continuous, unifo: rm and definitely determinsite to that in whi ch the sound vibrations are passing from said arm to Said diaphragm; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth ani described, and more parable stress to tension it in a direction oppoticularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an instrumeht embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the universal connection between the supporting arm and the transmitter or vibrator arm; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the. reproducing stylus or point mount.

Iuike. letters refer to like pa ris throughoutbe; several views.

In theembodiment of my invention shown in ,the drawings, a indicates a cabinet adapted to contain the motor and other parts for actuating a rotary table 1/, adapted to have a disk record mounted thereon, and rindieates the top slab of said cabinet.

Spaced away from. and to one side of, the axis of the table 7' are standards d supporting a sound box v having a sound out let opening'e' adapted to be connected to an amplifier.

Mounted within the sound box in any desired manner is a diaphragm f of the usual or any desirable material. Below and in axial alin'ement with'the axis of the diaphragm f is a frame 9 moving about a vertical axis and mounted upon said frame by means of horizontal pivots is a rigid supporting arm h. Acting upon said arm in a manner to force it' downwardly or toward the table b is a coil spring i or other means for developing pressure through said supporting arm.

Supported by said arm his a transmitter I or vibrator arm j which is connected adjacent to one end thereof to said supporting arm by means ofa universally movable couiling which will be more fully described hereimifter. The said arm j is preferabl composed of wood to enhance the tone qualities of the reproduced sound waves, and one end thereof is adapted to support a reproducing stylus or point in a manner to cause it 'to engage the record while the other, end,

thereof is connected to the diaphragm by means of the flexible loop is and the stud k carried by the diaphragm f, means being utilized or applying a tensioning stress upon said diaphragm through said "flexible connection .k and stud k.

The construction heretofore described, considered broadly, has been made the sub- 'ect matter of an application for Letters "atent heretofore filed by me, and it is not therefore my intention to broadly claim these features at this time. i

In my aforesaid pending application, I also provide means for varying the direction to the diaphragm, the universal connection to which I have heretofore referred,"between 'referred to.

Heretofore in applying the tensioning stress to the diaphragm, I have used a coil spring, one end of which was attached to the transmitter or vibrator arm 7' adjacent to the flexible connection 1; and the other end of which was attached to a rigid me tallic part of the machine. I have always found that this spring arrangement gives highly satisfactory results, so long as the desired tension is maintained in the spring. In practice, however, this spring has two disadvantages: first, owing to the high frequency of the vibrations of the diaphragm, and of this spring, with continued use the spring is apt to lose its resiliency and thus lessen the tension upon the diaphragm; and secondly, this spring being in tension, there is likelihood of. a portion of the vibrations being transmitted thereto, although I have not found this of any material importance in the practice of my invention. 95 1 In fact, with one skilled in the use of this I machine, a spring the tension of which may be regulated would prove highly satisfactory, but with the unskilled, it is desirable to provide a ten ioning means exerting a 1. fixed, determina e stress upon the diaphragm notsubject to-variation by reason of continueduse.

Means such as I have just referred to are also desirable as facilitating the adjustment 1 of the machine in the factory.

To meet the foregoing conditions, I provide the weight 1 located within the cabinet 0 and connect this weight with the end of the transn'iitter or vibrator arm adjacent 1 to thediaphragm, preferably by means of I sensitive to permit minute-vibrations of the diaphragm without any displacement of th said wei ht. Hence this s ring will have the 125 effect 0 making the diap iragm mor i- V 'tive. ofthe application of the tensioning stress When it is desired to adapt the machine for both vertical cut or graphophone, and lateral cut or gramaphone records, I pro- This ppositely disposed to the plate q carried.

videone of thelstandards d with a hook adapted to receive the connecting means m between the weight Z and the arm j. By thismeansthe direction of the application of the stress to the diaphragm may be varied by merely raising the weight and throwing the cord across the hooko, which is a simpleiinann'er of accomplishing this adjustment and one'which may be readily understood by the unskilled public user. The cord .m passes through a protected opening in the Slab c. a

One-lender the spring i is secured to the frame g and the other end thereof is attached .0 the arm 72. by means of a screw threaded ipindle p passing th'roughsaid arm and the iuts'p' p mounted upon said spindle upon )ppo'site sides of said arm. By this means he tension of the spring 1' may be varied and he nutspf p so set as to prevent any likeliiood of such movement of the spindle p as would accidentally vary the tension of this pring.

Having a close driving fit with an opening ,xtending through the arm j, is a screw breaded stem 9 carrying an enlarged plate i. Between the plate g and the arm j is a esilient gasket r which is clamped tightly etween the said. plate and sa1d arm by eansof the nut g bearing upon the top of aid arm.- The said stem q. is provided with .n interiorly'screw threaded'socket g which )oper'ates with the stem .5 of a fitting a flanged portion a parallel with and the stem g.

The plate' g'a'nd flanged portion a are uicaved as shown in Fig. 3, and seated beeen the'oppositely disposedfaces thereof ?a resilient gasket 1;. The screw threaded innection between the stems q 8 permits the sired regulation of the compression of the id gasket by the edges of the plate q and .nge 8', thus forming a highly efiective inlation. Extending below the flange s is a stud which is connected to .the arm h by means the pivot screw 11. extending at right angles" the axis of the said stud s Theiouter d of the arm 12.. is forked at k to accom-- rdatethastud'ar. By this construction it will be observed It with the raising or lowering of the ns'l j, the movement of the coupling mt the. pivot u will compensate for the fiance. in the arcs'described by the two as h and j and that "said movement will; 0 permit a vertical adjustment of the inend ofthe arm j, adjusting the machine different-types of" records. The screw eaded connection between the shanks s l 9 will permit of that lateral movement the arm 7' incidental to adjusting the matile, and regulating thecompression of the ett. I

It is to be noted, ho NGVGI, that there is no oscillatory movement about either of these pivots while the arm j is transmitting sound vibrations indicated upon a record, to the diaphragm.

' In practice, I have found that great difficulty is encountered in holding the reproducing stylus or point in a mount carried upon the end of the transmitter arm. If the set screw extends horizontally it will not loosen when the instrument is being used upon a lateral cut record, bu; will become readily loosened if the instrum cut is used upon a very tical cut record. If tie retaining screw be arranged vertically, I have found that it will -not loosen when, used with a verticalcut record, but will loosen whenused with a lateraicut record." To obviate this condition, I set the screw at an angle between the vertical and the horizo: ital, and I have found in practice that when so, set it has little or no tendency to loosen u hether thejnstrument be used with either a v :rtical or a ,lateral cut record. In. the accompanyi: 1g drawings I have shown a metallic mo1. nt' j carrying a set screw 7' set at an angle between the vertical and the horizontal, tie reproducing stylus or oint being shown utj".

n using the il'lStl'llIIh :nt there is a tendency of the spring 'i'to draw the arms j and h downwardly to an extent to bring the point 7' into engagement with theslab c or the table I To prevent da mage to a point prior to its application to a record, as well as to facilitate the removal and mounting of'the points in the mount 7'', I provide a. rest '0 adapted to engage the arm hand prevent excessive downward mc vement thereof under the sprin i. To prevent any possibility of alateral displacement of this arm h when a point is being mounted therein or removed therefrom I provide said rest '0 with the lugs '21 and 'v'-' between whic ,1 the arm 11. is adapted to seat.

vice, excepting in so far as the transmission Y I The operation of the herein descrlbed def of the sound waves is (oncerned, is substantiall as follows l' hen it is desired 1;) use the instrument upon vertical cut or gra] )hophone records, the

phragm f proportionate to the pull exerted by theweight I. With the operation of the machine, this weight r1 emains constant, and hence when it is once'de her-mined under what ressure it is desired to place the diaphragm,

it is merely necessary :0 apply the'desired weightthereto, thus insuring uniform conditions. The spring it does not in any way interfere withthe appli :ation of the tensioning weight to the dlaph ragm,.as this weight will merely bring the tension of this spring to a point where it will sustain its-weight. The spring 11. has this characteristic, however, that with the flexure or displacement of the diaphragm f, the movement of the .weight Z must be transmitted through this sprii'ig. Hence, any tendency of the weight I to be sluggish in its movement, will be compensated for by this interposed spring,.' which will flex and' permit the desired rapid.

vibrations in the diapl ragm while subjecting it at all times to a pressure equaling that of the weight. This condition arises when sound -\'1l)l':ltl()l1S of high frequency and 4 v Short length are. passing 'to"the diaphragm.

\Yithlouger \'iln' :'itions,'a spring interposed in the cord m. is not necessary. For a'un1 versal machine, however, I prefer to include for use with. lateral cut or gramophone When the spring n is used in connection with the.. cord m, any. loss of flexibility in" i this spring in the connecting means between the weight and the diaphragm.

- -When it is desired to adjust the machine records, it is merely necessary for the user .to raise the. cord m and'wvith; it the Wei ht l and adjust this cord about the hook 0.. his

movement. will deflect the arm j and the connecting loop is which is preferablyof waxed cord, in amanner to applythe. stresscxerted by the weight I at an angle'itojtheaxi's of th diaphragm, asshown more particularly in'Fig, 2 of the drawings.

The function of the universally movable connection between the transmitter or vi-' brator armij and the'supportmg" arm it has heretofore been referred to, and will not-be repeated. I

this. spring will not afi'ect the' tension upon ."the diaphragm, as this tension isderived 4 solely from the weight .1.

I believe it to be broadly new to provide a phonograph wherein a tensioning stress is placed upon thediaphragm by means, of

a weight, thus insuring a definite, uniform and constant tensioning of the diaphragm. While I'have used a'spring for this pur- -posc, I have found in actual practice that I a weight not only givesbetter results by: H50- reason of the better tensiouing effect the diaphragm, but permits the convenient insulation of the tensioning'means, and also facilitates', when an adjustable machine is used, the variance in direction of-a 'plication of pressure without materially alf ecting the tensioning of the diaphragm.

I also believe it to be broadly new to connect the weight to the transmitter or vibrator arm by a flexible member having an elastic section inits length whereby before the inertia of the weight is overcome, fiexure of the diaphragm will be permitted to an extent to make the diaphragm responsive to sound vibrations of high frequency and short length.

Having described my invention, what I member.

claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent,

'1. A phonograph, embodying therein a movable record support, a soundbox ad -jacent thereto-and spaced away therefrom, a

diaphragm mountedin said .sound box, a transmitter or vibrator. arm adapted to carry a reproducing stylus or point, projecting from adjacent said sound box over said record support, means whereby sound vibrations are transmitted from said arm to said diaphragm,-means acting on said arm intermediate the diaphragm and the record support, whereby a downward pressure is exerted thereon, a weight, and a flexible.

nonresonantstrand connecting said weight and said arm adjacent said diaphragm, whereby said diaphragm and the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed under constant, uniform tension.

2. A phonograph embodying therein a movable record support, a sound box' adjacent thereto and spaced away therefrom, a diaphragm mounted in said sound box, a transmitter or vibrator arm adapted to carry a reproducing stylus or point, projecting from adjacent said sound box over said rebordsupport, means whereby sound vibrations are transmitted from said arm to said diaphragm, means acting on said arm intermediate the diaphragm and the'reco'rd support, whereby a downward pressure is exerted thereon, a tensioning member, and a flexiblenon-reso nant strand connecting said tensioning member and said arm adjacent to .said diaphragm, whereby said diaphragm and the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed under constant, uniform tension.

3. A phonograph embodying therein a movable record support. a sound box adjasaid arm areplaced under coiis'tant, uniform tensiom'said "last= named "connections having an elastic-section therein whereby flexure of the diaphragm is permitted without over-. coming the inertia 1 of said teusioning 4, A phonograph embodying therein a movable record support, a sound box adj acent thereto and spaced away therefrom, a diaphragm mounted in said sound box, a transmitter or vibrator arm adapted to carry a reproducing stylus or point, projecting from adjacent said sound box over said record support, means whereby sound vibrations are transn'iitted from said arm to said diaphragm, menus acting on said arm intermediate the diaphragm and the record support, whereby a downward pressure is exerted thereon, a tensioning member, a coiled spring, and flexible cords extending therefrom to said tensioning member and to said arm adjacent, said diaphragm respectively, whereby said diaphragm and the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed under constant, uniform tension, and flexure of the diaphragm is permitted without overcoming the inertia of said tensioning member.

5. A phonograph embodying therein a movable record support, a sound box adja cent thereto and spaced away therefrom, a diaphragm lllOlllltBil in said sound box, a transmitter or vibrator arm adapted tocarry a rcproduciug stylus or point, projecting from adjacent said sound box over said record support, means whereby sound vibrations are transmitted from said arm to said diaphragm, means acting on said arm intermediate the diaphragm and the record support, whereby a downward pressure is exerted thereon, a tensioning member, a flexible, non-resonant strand connecting said tensioning member and said arm adjacent said diaphragm, whereby said diaphragm and the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed under constant,

uniform tension, and means ado. ted to be engaged by said flexible strand w ereby the direction of the stress of said tensioning member upon the diaphragm may be varied to adapt the instrument to a lateral cut or gramophone record.

6. A phonograph embodying therein a movable record support, a sound box adjacent thereto and spaced away therefrom, a diaphragm mounted in said sound box, a transmitter or vibrator arm adapted to carry a reproducing stylus or point, projecting from adjacent said sound box over said. rec- 0rd support, means whereby sound vibrations are transmitted from said arm to said diaphragm, means acting on said arm intermediate the diaphragm and the remrd support, whereby a downward pressure is exertedthereon, a tensioning member, ar-fiexible non-resonant strand oonnecti sioning member and said arm ad acent said diaphragm; whereby said diaphragm and the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed under constant, uniform tension, and a projection or hook adjacent said sound box adapted to be engaged by said flexible strand, whereby the direction of the said tenstress of said tensioning member upon the diaphragm may be vzried to adapt the instrument to a lateral cut or gramophone record.

7. A phonograph embodying therein a movable record support; a sound box adjacent thereto and spaced away therefrom, a diaphragm mounted in said sound box, a. transmitter or vibralor arm adapted to carry a reproducing ;tylus or point, projecting from adjacent said sound boxv over said record support, means whereby sound vibrations are transmitted from said arm to said diaphragm, mean; acting on said arm intermediate the diapl ra-gmiand the record support, whereby a downward pressure is exerted thereon, a weight, a flexible nonresonant strand conne( ting said weight and said arm adjacent said diaphragm, whereby said diaphragm and the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed under constant, uniform tension, and means adapted to be engaged by said connections whereby the direction of the stress of said weight upon the diaphragm may be varied to adapt the instrumert to a lateralcut or gramophone record.

8. A phonograph enbodying therein a. movable record support, a sound box adjacent thereto and spacel away therefrom, a diaphragm mounted in said sound box, a transmitter or vibrator irm adapted to carry a reproducing stylus )r point, projecting from adjacent said sow 1d box over said=rec- 0rd support, means whel eby sound vibrations are transmitted from said arm tosaid diaphragm, means acting onsaid arm interme diate. the diaphragm an ithe recbrd support, whereby a downward pressure is exerted thereon, a weight, a coiled spring, flenble cords extending therei mm to said weight;

and to said am adjacen t'said diaphragm respectively, whereby saiddiaphragmiand the means transmitting vibrations thereto from said arm are placed und or constant, uniform tension, and flexure of t m diaphra is per mitted without overcoming the inertia of said weight, and means adapted to be engaged bysaid cordbetv'een saidspringmnd' said weight whereby thedircction of'sttess of said weight upon-thudiaphragm may be varied to adapt the ins irumeut to a lateral cut or gramophone recJrd.

9. In a phonograph (mbodying therein a transmitter or vibrator arm, and asupporting arm therefor, a combined universally movable. pivotal oonno :tion and vibration insulation between the two, comprising a.

stem fitted to said tralsmitter or vibrator 'arm, a plate carried thereby, aninsulating gasket between said plate and said arm, a fitting pivotally connect d to said supporting arm and having a; flan is parallel with said plate, said sttm and said fitting having 00- operating screw threaded means whereby connection etween one'end of said am and said diaphragm, means tensioning the diaphragm comprising a weight and a flexible cord connecting said weight and said transmitter' arm end.

11. In a phonograph embodying therein a diaphragm, a transmitter arm, a flexible connection between one end of said arm and said diaphragm, means tensioning the dia: phragmcomprising a weight and a flem'ble,

subscribing witnesses, this 22nd day of October, 1912'. I

CLINTON B. REPP. Witnesses:

O'i'ro MUNK, EUGENE WENING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for flv'e cents each, by addressing the .commissloner'ot-Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

